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Three key stats to know entering Game 3 of the NBA Finals
Every statistical metric indicates the Pacers should take a 2-1 lead over the Thunder in Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Finals on Wednesday.
In these playoffs, the Pacers are 6-2 at home, where they play at a faster pace (99.46 to 97.93), average more fast-break threes (16.8 to 13.3) and their bench players perform significantly better.
Yet, the Thunder enter Game 3 as 5.5-point favorites, a testament to their dominant 81-19 record (including regular season). Here are three numbers to know ahead of the big game.
Game 3 winner is nearly a shoo-in to win it all
In NBA Finals history, teams that win Game 3 of a tied series prevail 80.5 percent of the time (33-8). This stat is even more favorable for the away team; in this case, OKC. In 23 previous instances, the road team won 91.3 percent of the series (21-2) after taking a 2-1 lead with a Game 3 victory. Meanwhile, home teams prevail 66.7 percent of the time (12-6). The most recent example of this came in 2023 when the Nuggets took a 2-1 lead with a Game 3 road win before closing out the Heat in five games.
Both have losing records in Game 3s
Both the Thunder (13-5) and Pacers (13-5) have struggled in Game 3s of the 2025 NBA playoffs despite their .722 winning rates. While the Thunder (1-2) lost to the Nuggets and Timberwolves in the previous two rounds, the Pacers (0-3) suffered a clean sweep against the Bucks, Cavaliers and Knicks en route to the NBA Finals. Both rebounded with Game 4 wins before winning their respective series.
Pacers are invincible after a loss
Since March 10, Rick Carlisle's men have been a perfect 8-0 after a loss (including 4-0 in the regular season). In those eight games, they've averaged 130.5 points at 51.8 percent shooting, while dishing out 32.9 assists. Add to that, they've pummeled teams by a margin of 17.1 points. Look no further than Game 4 against the Cavaliers (20-point win) and Game 6 against the Knicks (17-point win) when they bounced back after a loss in resounding fashion. These numbers demonstrate Carlisle's ability to make adjustments after losses.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander went off for 34 PTS in OKC's series-tying Game 2 win, and now holds the record for most total points in a player's first two Finals games.
— NBA (@NBA) June 11, 2025
With things even at 1-1, the action shifts to Indiana.
Thunder/Pacers Game 3 tips tomorrow at 8:30pm/et on ABC! pic.twitter.com/vLD3bE0ZzV
More must-reads:
- Three ways the Pacers can get Tyrese Haliburton going
- The simple trade that turned the Thunder into a powerhouse
- The 'NBA franchises' without a championship' quiz
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Celtics Notes: Major Trade Update, All-Star Signing Urged, Ex-Celtic Champion Cut
The Boston Celtics have a major trade update amid an otherwise unpredictable offseason. The roster is already at an incredibly different place than last season, but Boston is reportedly shopping a $45 million guard to shed some salary and shake things up around the league even more. Additionally, the roster movement isn't expected to cease as the Celtics have been urged to sign an All-Star point guard. A pair of team insiders discussed the idea of bringing in the former No. 1 overall pick to bolster the new-look team. Finally, a former Celtics champion has been cut from a Western Conference squad. The 22-year-old will now search for his next home to continue his professional basketball life. Here’s more information on these stories and all the latest Celtics news (click the headline for the full article): Celtics Could Trade $45 Million Guard in Major Roster Shakeup: Report Celtics Urged to Sign Former All-Star in Major Free Agent Move Former Celtics NBA Champion Released By West Squad Celtics Roster ‘Makes Zero Sense’ Says NBA Insider Jayson Tatum Receives Injury Advice From Former Celtics Forward Former Celtics Forward Says His Injuries Are the Reason Jayson Tatum Became Superstar in Boston Celtics Tweets of the Day: For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Yankees have finally found their third baseman in Ryan McMahon
After years of speculation and nothing materializing, the New York Yankees have at last acquired third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman. Pitching prospects Griffin Herring and Josh Grosz are headed to the Mile High City in return. They were the number eight and 21st-ranked prospects in the Yankees' farm system, per MLB.com. Given the Yankees' struggles at the third-base position over the last few years, bringing in a guy who was an All-Star in 2024 and will be much more reliable is a win. Former MLB player and current analyst Cameron Maybin certainly believes that, as he was pushing the McMahon-to-New York narrative over the last week and feels it could be a great fit for both sides. "The third baseman they need plays in Colorado...I'm telling you! Defensively more than adequate and Taylor made for the ballpark offensively," Maybin wrote on social media. Maybin went on to mention how McMahon will feel reinvigorated joining a World Series contender like the Yankees after the last six-and-a-half years of being at the bottom in Colorado. The 30-year-old is not having his best season, slugging 16 home runs and 35 RBI with a .217 average through 100 games with the Rockies, per MLB.com stats. However, he's consistently been a 20-plus home run hitter who drives in runs at a strong rate and has a large sample size of doing so. Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suarez (.252 average, 36 HRs, 86 RBI) has seemed to be No. 1 target for most teams, and for good reason, but given the Yankees' current situation and weaknesses, McMahon made more sense. Not only does he play a better third base, which New York desperately needs, but he has another two years of control after 2025, whereas Suarez would have been a rental. The acquisition cost was nothing crazy, and adding a lefty bat with some power to potentially take advantage of the short porch at Yankee Stadium is always a bonus. Some may not be satisfied until they see McMahon positively impacting the New York Yankees, but rest assured, this is a very solid pickup.
Packers rookie could miss time after suffering injury in training camp
The Green Bay Packers offense was dealt a bit of a blow early in training camp. Friday, third-round rookie wide receiver Savion Williams was a spectator for practice after suffering a concussion. Williams, chosen by the Packers with the No. 87 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft, is aiming to climb the depth chart at a crowded wide receiver position this summer. At 6-foot-4 and 222 pounds, Williams ran the 40-yard dash in a blazing 4.48 seconds during the NFL Combine and has the profile of potentially becoming a reliable possession receiver and after-the-catch weapon for quarterback Jordan Love and the Packers’ offense. Reaching those benchmarks and climbing the depth chart will have to wait, though, as Williams works his way through the concussion protocol and back onto the field for practices during training camp and the preseason this summer.
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